SoxBlanco

I'm an optimist at heart, and I can usually talk myself into liking a move that I originally didn't like (like the Lynn trade). But I'm struggling with this one. Can somebody help me out? Anything to like about this? Is there a small chance he gets some of his old production back?

Yeah, I'm leaning toward this stance now. A day or two ago I said I wouldn't give up Dunning straight up for Lynn, but I'm coming around on it. Lynn is a bulldog. And hopefully he can help the younger guys as a veteran presence. There are two ways to look at this trade: 1. If we don't win the World Series this year, then we basically gave up Dunning for nothing. Dumb trade. 2. This move makes us better in 2021, and there's no question about that. Could Lynn be gone in a year? Sure, but we have guys like Kopech and Crochet who could be a part of the rotation in 2022 or 2023. We'll be fine in the long run, and this move certainly gives us a better chance this year. If we continually think like option 1, we could be stuck in a land of good enough to make the playoffs, but not quite good enough to win it all unless we get lucky in the postseason.

This is hilarious! ???

It's pretty funny to read this thread where half the people think the rumor is Dunning for Heyward and the other half think we'd be getting Darvish and Heyward for Dunning. (Seemed obvious to me that we'd be getting both Darvish and Heyward in the supposed deal, but what do I know about a rumor?)

Your point about Machado is spot on. However, with Wheeler, we were absolutely prepared to pay that contract.

Adding Lynn, Joc, and Quintana would easily make us favorites in the Central and would give us a team that could make a World Series run.

Thank for the article, James. What are your thoughts on what Joc/Engel could put up next year numbers wise compared to Springer? I think Joc/Engel could put up something around an .850 OPS, with Springer being around .900.

Quick question on WAR: How much does playing RF vs CF affect a player's WAR? If a guy puts up a 5 WAR season playing CF all year, what would his WAR be (approximately) playing RF with the same offensive numbers?

I agree with you there, for sure. Look, I want Springer as much as anybody. I just don't think Joc/Engel is as bad of an option as you are making it seem. I think it's very possible they put up something in the 3 WAR range. And if that gives us flexibility to add a pitcher at the deadline or next offseason, then it's not the worst option out there. Yes, we should just be going after Bauer. I want them to stop avoiding the big contracts just like you. It sucks.

When you say "Theres zero chance, barring injury, that springer could be bad as Joc and engel could be", do you just mean that the floor is definitely lower for Joc/Engel? Or are you saying there's zero chance that a Joc/Engel platoon could put up a better season than Springer?

Ok, so 5 WAR for Springer and 2.5 WAR for an Engel/Joc platoon? And they aren’t demands. They were simple requests based on our discussion.

Why do you keep avoiding the question? I don’t want an over/under prediction based on my comparison. I want you to tell me what you honestly think their numbers will be. Feel free to use WAR or OPS.

Can you be more specific for Joc and Engel?

Alright, why don’t you tell me what you expect from Springer next year. Then tell me what you expect from a Joc/Engel platoon.

I like how in a span of 15 minutes, you talk about how you like the changes Engel has made, but then you’re not a fan of “cherry picking” the most recent full season played. Cherry picking would be selecting a random year a few years ago that benefits my argument. Did you happen to notice that the year I used for Springer was by far his best? Why didn’t you have an issue with me cherry picking that year?

Elaborate please. What are you laughing at?

Springer: 556 PA, 39 HR, 0.974 OPS, 156 wRC+ Joc/Engel: 553 PA, 38 HR, 0.907 OPS, 135 wRC+

Yeah, that's not a horrible idea, depending on how much money Phili kicks in. What do you think is reasonable if that's the trade?

I can’t see teams trading for Wheeler with that contract unless the asking price is very low.

I didn’t get it either until I looked at his username.

I believe the gap in production between a Joc/Engel platoon and Springer is smaller than the gap in cost. I would love Springer, but I wouldn’t mind a Joc/Engel platoon that gives us a .900 OPS in RF for much less money and also allows us flexibility to go after a top end starter at the trade deadline or next offseason.

Agreed. That’s why I think it’s best to just sign a couple mid-tier starters (Richards, Quintana, Odorizzi, etc.) and then reevaluate where we’re at with Cease, Dunning, and Kopech at the trade deadline or next offseason.

Wow, that’s a crazy ask. I wouldn’t even give up Cease or Dunning straight up for Lynn.

Do you still think there’s a chance the Sox sign McCann?

What kind of deal do you guys think Bauer ultimately gets?